Ear Infections can easily be misdiagnosed
It is amazing how often middle ear infections (otitis media) are misdiagnosed by medical professionals.
I recently attended the Advances in Pediatrics conference that had hundreds of clinicians from all over the country. During a workshop on otitis media, participants were asked to provide a diagnosis of various eardrum slides using an Audience Response System (ARS) -- a wireless device so that people can anonymously answer questions. The slides were shown on a screen, thousands of times bigger than life, accompanied by a brief clinical description.
The medical providers in the groups had 15 seconds to provide a diagnosis -- more than the average time we actually look at the ears. A computer analyzes the responses and the results are projected on the screen. In the vast majority of cases, as few as 50% of the clinicians got the correct answer. Transferring this data to the doctor's office or emergency room would indicate that you may be misdiagnosed half of the time. Why is that?
First, there is a wide range of clinical interpretation by medical providers as to what constitutes a middle ear infection. Some clinicians felt that any red eardrum in a feverish child is otitis media and required antibiotics. Not true. Pink or red eardrums do not necessarily mean there is an infection. Feverish children can have red eardrums. Crying children can have red eardrums. Basically, any child with a flushed, red face may have a corresponding flushed, red eardrum.
Second, many clinicians are cutting corners doing quick, cursory examinations. An accurate diagnosis of otitis media is not rocket science, and the diagnostic criteria are well-known and published:
Third, many clinicians are diagnosing ear infections by the seat of their pants. They are not even seeing the eardrum! A mother told me that she watched an urgent care physician look in her child's ear without even inserting the otoscope tip in the ear opening; he only looked at the skin of the outer ear! Additionally, people can have significant wax in their ears completely obscuring the eardrum.
There is absolutely no way to accurately diagnose an ear infection without seeing the eardrum -- simple as that. Not all clinicians are skilled at removing excess wax from ears, but they should be.
Patients should hold their medical providers accountable for Standard of Care practices. You and your children deserve to have a complete medical assessment, resulting in an accurate diagnosis.
Related Links: Kids' Ear Infections: Antibiotics vs. Waiting, In Praise of Earwax
Technorati Tags: Ear infection, Otitis media, Misdiagnosis, Audience Response System
I recently attended the Advances in Pediatrics conference that had hundreds of clinicians from all over the country. During a workshop on otitis media, participants were asked to provide a diagnosis of various eardrum slides using an Audience Response System (ARS) -- a wireless device so that people can anonymously answer questions. The slides were shown on a screen, thousands of times bigger than life, accompanied by a brief clinical description.
The medical providers in the groups had 15 seconds to provide a diagnosis -- more than the average time we actually look at the ears. A computer analyzes the responses and the results are projected on the screen. In the vast majority of cases, as few as 50% of the clinicians got the correct answer. Transferring this data to the doctor's office or emergency room would indicate that you may be misdiagnosed half of the time. Why is that?
First, there is a wide range of clinical interpretation by medical providers as to what constitutes a middle ear infection. Some clinicians felt that any red eardrum in a feverish child is otitis media and required antibiotics. Not true. Pink or red eardrums do not necessarily mean there is an infection. Feverish children can have red eardrums. Crying children can have red eardrums. Basically, any child with a flushed, red face may have a corresponding flushed, red eardrum.
Second, many clinicians are cutting corners doing quick, cursory examinations. An accurate diagnosis of otitis media is not rocket science, and the diagnostic criteria are well-known and published:
- The eardrum needs to be OPAQUE. In other words, you should not be able to see through it during an exam. The normal eardrum is translucent, like a frosted shower door.
- The COLOR of the eardrum may be red, yellow, or cloudy. Many times, a true otitis media is more likely to be yellow, than red.
- The eardrum should be BULGING. If the eardrum is not bulging out from pressure behind it, there is only a 7-10% chance that it is a bacterial infection.
- Most importantly, the eardrum must have REDUCED MOBILITY, as observed using a pneumatic otoscope. An otoscope is the device that a medical provider uses to observe the ear; the pneumatic attachment is a little bulb syringe that is used to puff air against the eardrum so that movement can be seen. A middle ear infection would have an eardrum that did not move very well, if at all. This most important diagnostic step is the one most frequently skipped by medical providers, even though it only takes a few extra seconds.
Third, many clinicians are diagnosing ear infections by the seat of their pants. They are not even seeing the eardrum! A mother told me that she watched an urgent care physician look in her child's ear without even inserting the otoscope tip in the ear opening; he only looked at the skin of the outer ear! Additionally, people can have significant wax in their ears completely obscuring the eardrum.
There is absolutely no way to accurately diagnose an ear infection without seeing the eardrum -- simple as that. Not all clinicians are skilled at removing excess wax from ears, but they should be.
Patients should hold their medical providers accountable for Standard of Care practices. You and your children deserve to have a complete medical assessment, resulting in an accurate diagnosis.
- Did the clinician take a thorough medical history?
- Did the clinician do a thorough examination? Did they examine more than just the ear that was hurting? Did they take the time to clean out any obstructing earwax? And, more importantly, did they take the time to use a pneumatic otoscope?
- When asked, did the clinician allow YOU to look in your child's ear through the otoscope? The doctor may be put off by this request, but ask anyway. You may not be skilled enough to validate the clinical findings, but with a little practice and a home otoscope, you can develop those skills. I have been a long-time advocate of people having and using home otoscopes. If the doctor refuses to let you see the eardrum, just tell him/her that you will check it when you get home, with your OWN otoscope. I bet that will get their attention.
Related Links: Kids' Ear Infections: Antibiotics vs. Waiting, In Praise of Earwax
Technorati Tags: Ear infection, Otitis media, Misdiagnosis, Audience Response System
58 Comments:
I'm really not surprised at your statistics. When I was in college, I found that one physician and one nurse practitioner, of the many in the health center, actually made more than a cursory exam and recognized my ear infections. Most of the rest insisted that "adults don't get middle ear infections." I guess I've never grown up.
I bought an otoscope when my kids were little. Once my pediatrician realized that I intended to use it to get the kids there BEFORE their eardrums perforated rather than for avoiding visits, he was kind enough to teach me what to look for.
It came in very handy for the early years when I was able to get my middle son to the pedi before perforations occurred. He NEVER complained until the pus started dripping. Later, it also proved helpful when we found ourselves 100 miles from the nearest pediatrician and my oldest had an ear infection. The only physician available (at a Boy Scout camp in the mountains of New Mexico) was quite impressed by the scarring left by my son's repaired perforation, but had no clue whether or not he needed antibiotics - and admitted as much. When I explained the history, he handed over the otoscope. His next question was "and what does his pediatrician usually prescribe?"
I have a very crooked narrow ear canal in my right ear. Told since birth. After surgical menopause,age 34, developed severe ear infection. Canal closed up, side of face bulging, skin bright red and excrutiating pain in head. Held down by 2 people so doctor in office could pop open my ear. Ended up in hospital as eardrum ruptured. Antibiotics and antidepressant given. Out in 7 days. To this day, am now 57, continued ear pain in and out of head, discharge and loss of hearing. Thanks medical doctors in NJ (so uninformed) why are they doctors? I live with the pain and do my own care.
Thank you so much for those comments....I have always been a big fan of otoscope use by parents, and more importantly, parents taking an ACTIVE role in the care of their children.
Medical providers are far from perfect...they become BETTER when they have patients that are INFORMED and chose to participate in their own care as true PARTNERS.
I am 25 years old and went to the doctor because I thought I had an ear infection. I had just gotten over a cold too. I was told I didn't have one, but after three more days of pain I went back and low and behold I had an ear infection. So even adults are getting misdiagnosed.
The symptoms of ear infections often PRECEDE the SIGNS of an ear infection (redness, bulging of the eardrums, and immobility). So, misdiagnosis is really not the same as trying to be diagnosed BEFORE the characteristic symptoms occur.
In pediatrics, I often see children who have had ear pain for an HOUR. I have to remind parents, that unless I can clinically diagnose it, I can't treat it based solely on the symptoms of ear pain.
My own daughter wouldn't eat one night. When I asked her why, she thought carefully for a moment and then blurted out that she was "sick". Laughingly, I asked her what was wrong. She repied, EAR INFECTION!". Of course, when I looked in her ears, it was perfectly normal. Later that night, she showed up at my bedside, again claiming she had an ear infection. This time, the ear was red and bulging. When I told her that she DID have an ear infection, she calmly said, "I told you!"
My wife is afraid of having her ear drums of being perferated. Some people have told me to buy Alo-vera Juice. I do not know if that is a true tested. DOes it work?
my whole ear outside was bright red and the pain inside was terrible!
i went to urgent care and after a quick look the doctor on duty gave
me 3000mg of Amoxicillan for 7 days.....i still have lots of congestion and cannot hear very well out of that side....guess i will go back after work today....
I'm a woman of 54 years and had my 1st ear infection a week ago. My eardrum was bright red and bulging. I had a cold previously with pressure in my head. I was on steroids, then antibiotics, pain killers, ear drops and nose spray. So far I still have limited hearing out of that ear. How long does it take for the ear to clear up?
I was diagnosed with an ear infection two days ago. I had no idea! I thought it was a cold and sore throat. Thankfully my M.D. picked up on it and put me on Penicillin to clear it up. I am sorry to hear of the M.D.s not catching this due to lack of training/experience
Julee R.
I am 48 years old and was diagnosed with a bi-lateral ear infection. I don't ever remember having one before.
I was put on 875mg Augmentin and Allegra-D n 3/12.
I am curious how long it takes for this to clear up. It is really frustrating to keep having to have things repeated since I can't hear the person if they are to far away.
Thank you for your help.
I am 27 and five days ago I started feeling alot of pressure and pain in my right ear. Three days ago the pain went away only to be replaces with a very loud, high pitched ringing. Because my MD never returned my call I went to the ER and was told it was an ear infection and was put on Azithromycin. I can't remember my kids ever complaining of ringing with ear infections. Also after taking antibiotics within just a day it would seem to clear up for my kids but I have been taking them for three days and still all I hear is ringing. Is ringing of the ear a common side effect for middle ear infection in adults and not children?
What?
Three weeks ago I went to a doctor because I had severe congestion in my right ear. Could not hear out of the right ear and very irritated. The Doctor gave me some pencillin and a decongestant and every thing seamed to clear up until two days ago, I am having a sharp shooting pain in the area of my right ear so I went back to a different Mouth throat nose doctor and was told everything is ok. Well as long as I keep on a strong tylenol dosage I can cope with the intermitent sharp shooting pain, but when the tylenol wears off I get the severe pain again. What should I do? Thank yo
I am 60 years old.For over 15 years I have had trouble with my ears. It started on a windy day playing golf. After a couple of hours I realized that my hearing had diminished. Now every time it's windy or I get a cold it settles in my ears. I have gone to ENT's and allergy doctors for years with no success until six months ago when my new family Dr. told me about Otitis Media with Effusion, fluid in the middle ear. I have always had an excess of wax build up in my ears. He told me that this is probably causing the fluid to not be able to drain, causing an affection. Thus when I get a cold, even after the cold is gone, my hearing is affected. He prescribed Avelox 400 and Cipro HC OTIC ear drops for ten days. And in the future he told me to put ear wax softener in my ears several times a week to prevent wax build-up. Oh, and the doctor had to first clean the wax from my ear to see my red eardrum.
After reading this stuff I am getting really scared.
Had severe pain in left ear, laid down and held cold compress on it, then sceduled appointment a couple hours later. By that point the pain had gone away and was replaced with loss of much hearing. When I awoke to my alarm it sounded VERY distorted.
Doctor checked both eardrums with with the ear instrument and told me, making a V-shape with her hands, that my eardrums looked like this and were opaque. She mentioned they were supposed to look translucent so I am hoping she diagnosed this correctly. She gave me CHLORPHENIR/P-EPHED which is to be taken once daily. Also provided was ACETAMINOPHEN/CODENE POSPHATE. Do you guys think she got this right? I cannot suffer hearing loss with the line of work I'm going into.
I have had feelings of pressure in my ears, mostly my right ear. It almost feels like someone is putting their finger in my ear. No pain. What could be causing this? Should I be concerned?
I don't know how long ear infections normally take to clear up. When I was a kid, I don't remember them taking that long to go away.
Recently, I got an ear infection after not having any for about 20 years. It seems to be related to sinus problems. My ears didn't hurt, they just felt blocked, like someone stuffed cotton in my ears. My general doctor misdignosed it and said I had ear wax buildup. By the time I got to a specialist, it had been bothering me for a few weeks. He put me on antibiotics plus steroids and nasal spray for the sinus inflammation. He also had me take a hearing test and a neurological test as precautions. The infection took over a month to clear up. I heard a bunch of popping sounds in my ear, then a really loud pop, and all of a sudden I could hear again. I was scheduled to have tubes put in the next day.
A month later, I got sick and had another ear infection. Went straight to the specialist this time who put me on a different antibiotic - 500 mg Levaquin. I've had it now for a week and am hoping this one doesn't take a month to clear up. If, after this one clears up, I get another infection, I'm switching specialists.
My outer ears ooze a clear liquid that hardens to a crusty scab. This won't go away. My hearing is ok and it's painless. Sometimes itches. Can someone tell me what this is ? Have been to a doctor, ear drops help temporarily but infection keeps coming back.
I am a 43 yr old woman who had her first ear infection last year following the flu. Ever since then I have had problems with my right ear draining white liquid and itching. Sometimes it gets painful and swollen. I get some relief by putting cotton coated with vicks vapor rub, the rub heats my ear up somewhat while easing the pain. For about a week I am pain free and without drainage. I am wondering if the vicks will hurt my ear?
Iam 47 and didnt feel good Sunday 8/26..Both of my ears felt plugged and wouldnt "pop" Saw ENT on 8/27 and he said my ear drums were bulging and to take a Steriod,I got an inhaler for my constant cough that I have with the ear thing and a decongestant.. If Iam not better in a couple of days then he will start the antibiotic.
I have been sitting around in alot of construction for over a year and Iam thinking that the cough and nose thing might be related to the construction?????????????
posting dated 8-25 from anonymous.... I have this same problem and have been told that I have a chronic ear infection... My dermatologist said it was eczema and gave me some medicine it went away but unfortunately it is back!!!! It looks horrible especially when I scratch it. Feels like a faucet is on in my ear with the drainage.. If you get help let me know..smajor1006@hotmail.com
Regarding the oozing of clear fluid. I too am experiencing Clear fluid (like shower water that never clears), it has been going on for months now. Dr said I had swimmers ear back in June. He gave me drops that never really helped so I am finally going back next week. Also itching & scabing up. If anyone gets an answer please post.
I was having all tha same symptoms..then a friend told me about ear candling...amazing I can hear and the fluid has stopped draining... my problem has been going on for three years...my theory yeast and the doctors can't detect it...really ear candling...buy them at Hi health or GNC...I have done my whole family and they can not believe the difference....
Re: Ear Candling
Click here to read Dr. Moser's explanation of why ear candling is dangerous quackery.
Two of my children were very susceptible to ear infections. They rarely showed any symptoms...and we would only notice if their sleeping pattern changed slightly. After 5 or so ear per child, we just started taking them in about 7-10 days after any cold...and sure enough they had an ear infection. Finally, after so many antibiotics we resorted to getting tubes in their ears and they have been fine since.
Because their symptoms were not obvious, we did get an otoscope so we could check their ears...just as a check and not as a measure to avoid their pediatrician.
Their cousin is deaf in one ear which is believed to be the result of an ear infection that was never noticed. Ironically, her parents are a MD and an RN...and they never saw any symptoms until the hearing loss.
This whole ear infection thing scares me. My three year old had chronic infections for about 6 months, starting when she was 6 months old. They lasted until she got tubes, went away until the tubes fell out, then returned. She got a second set of tubes and her adenoids removed, and then lost that set about 7 months ago. She has not had an infection since, at least not until today. She woke up screaming in the middle of the night, complaining that her ear hurt. I gave her Motrin and called the pediatrician this morning. We have an appointment this afternoon....this is the first time that she has complained of pain though. In the past, she would just act a little bit cranky, but not run a fever or anything. Earlier today, she had a particularly bad bout of crying and then I noticed that her ear was leaking bloody fluid. I called the doc back to try to get an earlier appointment, and was just told that she probably had a perforated eardrum and to just bring her in this afternoon as planned. The poor thing! How long does something like this take to heal? Is it something that will affect her hearing after this one time, or is it something that I should plan on having happen again? Since this is the first time in a while that she's had anything wrong with her ears, I am not sure if it is related to the tubes not being in place. How many sets of tubes do kids usually go through, and when will this end? Because she no longer has tubes, she no longer goes to get hearing screening done, and now I worry that I should be doing that for her too. Any advice would be very helpful!
Does anyone respond to these questions? If they do, why does my left ear constantly pop when I swallow, bend over, exert myself or have a valsalvic maneuver. There is no pain involved, some slight pressure but no hearing loss. It came and went about a month ago over the course of a day but now is back and has been steady for about one week. It is intermittent meaning it's not always present but never the less very anoying and concerning.
To those of you with specific questions about your own ear symptoms, please post to our Ear, Nose & Throat message board. Dr. Moser can answer your questions there.
Quick question, I have no ear pain but ear for the last week has felt clogged and has been popping pretty good, it has also caused some mild headaches along with a little lightheadedness.. Any answers or comments, chrisusmc2002@yahoo.com
To those of you with specific conditions about your own ear conditions, please post to our Ear, Nose & Throat message board. :-)
I have 4 children one with chronic ear infections until she was 1...Do NOT get tubes in their ears...see an alternative DR, most are caused because of food allergies
I was looking for some information about ear infection because today my little one was diagnosed with ear infection and the doctor put her under antibiotic. I studied speech and language disorders "FONOAUDIOLOGIA" in Colombia and one of my subjects was "Audiology and Pathology". After read this article I am wondering how good education I got from my college. I hate to see how the doctors misdiagnosed ear infections without a good examination. They only look a red eardrum and put children under antibiotic. It is completely normal find red, and congestioned ears during and after a cold.
Has anyone experience dizziness with their ear infections? I feel okay, I have some mild pain in my left ear, but its the dizziness, ringing in my ears that gets me
Little over a month ago I began to experience pain and hearing loss in my left ear. ENT examined on 1/2/08, he extracted wax plus white fibers. He prescribed Ciprodex. Symptoms improved for approximately 2 weeks. 1/22/08 returned to ENT's office to extract more wax plus different white stuff (no longer using q-tips). Dr. thought maybe yeast infection, Rx Ciprodex plus H2O(9x)mixed with white vinager(1x). Ear was clear for less than one week, ear seemed clogged and could not hear. Friend who is RN recommended Dyflucan, within 24 hours ear cleared and hearing returned. Has anyone ever experieced this?
Reading all these I'm petrified of having to get any tubes in my ears but about three days ago I woke up and my right ear felt clogged. During the day it wont feel as bad but then when I go to sleep and wake up the clogging seems to get worse. And it has repeated itself like that for threee days now. What do I do? And is this condition mild or serious?
For those of you asking about specific conditions, please visit Dr. Moser's message board and post your questions there.
I have an on going trouble with inner ear problems , First of all i wake up the room is spinning then i vomit and my ears fill as if they are full of liquid nothing works just sit in an upright position and as days past it gets better ?
I have a middle ear infection which is present in both ears. After having visited the urgent care department a couple of days ago, i was prescribed Cephalexin antibotics ( 4 times a day) and Ciprodex drops (4 drops twice a day). I was also told to insert 2 drops of hydrogen peroxide 3% twice a day. I've now been taking this medication for 48 hours and my hearing is still extremly muffled. How much longer can it take for things to clear up? It's driving me crazy!
A couple of years ago, I had an extremely painful ear infection. My family doctor prescribed ear drops and pain pills. The pain pills didn't work, I couldn't sleep b/c of the pain for three or four days. But the ear drops eventually cleared up the infection. However, afterwards, I still couldn't hear. The pain was gone, but my ear still felt full and my hearing was extremely hampered. This time I went to an ENT Doc. Well, actually two. The first took about 10 secs. to look at my ear, and then proceeded to Vacuum it out (yikes). He also prescribed MORE drops. Which is what got me into trouble in the first place. He was useless. So, I went to see another ENT. This time it was the guy who had taken my tonsils out 15 yrs prior. HE was a MIRACLE WORKER. He Washed out my ear. And when I say washed, I mean WASHED. It doesn't hurt, but while they're doing it, it sounds like you've been locked inside of a washing machine. I was skeptical at first. I've never thought of water going into my ear as a good thing, but it worked. He washed out all of the crud that had built up in by ear from the infection and the Drops that the other docs had prescribed. At the end they put a couple of drops of some sort of solution into my ear that I was told would dry up any remaining water. It worked, too, within five mins. of leaving the doctor's office my ear was clear of water, my hearing had returned, and the fullness was gone.
I am a 17 year old female and i randomly experience something like hearing loss in my right ear. its not so much hearing loss, it feels more like...congestion because its not like i dont hear anything from the ear or volume seems significantly lower, it sounds more like...muffling similar to the sound you hear when theres water in your ear. I dont treat it, it usually just goes away on its own. Im wondering if its because of the fluid blockage mentioned.
I have had problems with the inside of my ear itching serverly to the point where I scratch it so bad I get more of a sore infection than an ear infection, what could be the cause of my ear itching so badly? I haven't been sick since the problem started
Hi DOC-
I have had ear problems all my life- on and off, I'm a 44yr. old man, and am experiencing a wax problem that just wont go away for 5 years now. I always clean properly and (GENTLY everyday) but it must be some underlying cause- genetics maybe? SO, my primary care/CARDIOLOGIST DR. said my eardrums "look opaque", with a look on his face that was not comforting, but he said... "don't worry, you're OK, no infection, etc. Here, I just read that OPAQUE is good. I will take your answer over his on this issue and will see the ENT specialist immediately. What I wanted to say briefly is that I did not know there is an OTOSCOPE that has a pneumatic function- It makes lot's of sense --and I am very glad I happened to look up "opaque eardrum" this morning. It lead me to the part about the pneumatic otoscope. Thanks a million, now off to my chocolate pancake breakfast. Signed, A dedicated WEBMD reader.
In Dec. 2007 I was diagnosed with swimmers ear. I was given Neo/Polymyxin ear drops & my hearing went bad. In Jan. 2008 the doctor said I had 65% sudden hearing loss with no known reason.
With no improvement by Feb. 14, 2008 I purchased hearing aids for both ears. March 25 I went to the doctor because I had wax in my ears
& he discovered by accident that I had a clear transparent film over my ear drums. He cleaned both ear drums and "now I can hear." He could only say...it is a "mini miracle." I thank God that I had wax in my ears causing the doctor to discover the clear wax substance on my ear drums.
so im 20 years old, i had just gotten over a cold and my ears have been plugged up for a few days since then and my hearing isn't that great, it sounds pretty much like i have an ear infection from reading whats on this site, am i correct to say so? so what do i do now?
I had a cold and my sinuses were blocked. I went to the docs as i had problems with my hearing, everything in my right ear seemed blocked. Doc gave me a nasal spray and antibiotics. Five days later nothing had changed so i returned to doc, he said it was air trapped in the tube inside my ear. Four weeks on and the problem has not gone, the ringing in my ear and the hearing loss is still as bad. Ive heard of wax in your ear but have not heard of air causing the problem. Any one any ideas how to resolve this problem?
hi. i've been having problems with my ears for a few years. they were mostly just filled with wax, and sometimes i couldn't hear. now, however, my ears are constintly draing a clear, smelly, liquid. they itch like crazy, and theres so much fluid in them that i wake up and i can't hear a thing. if anyone has any answers on how to fix this, please tell me.
Anonymous above,
For questions about your specific situation, please visit Dr. Moser's message board. However, he will not be able to offer you a diagnosis of your condition. For that, you'll need to be examined by a qualified health professional.
I hope you feel better soon!
To Mary above who has room spinning/dizziness and vomiting. Do your eyes lose all ability to stay focused and roam back and forth? Do you have a lose of hearing in the affected ear during the episode?
I have this as well. It is Menier's Syndrome/Disease. Please see an ENT to be evaluated and rule out other causes. Otherwise, have them prescribe Valium tablets and phenergrine suppositories as these are the drugs of choice. They will act on the central nervous system to calm the symptoms.
I have had this for 20 years and the "episodes" vary in severity.
I have been instructed to cut out caffine and sodium. I denied these could be the culprit but over time I was willing to do anything to make these episodes never return. So...I cut out caffine and reduced sodium. I has helped some.
This is a very awful experience since you must sit upright in one position for days as every time you move, it feels like your brain is one big bowl of liquid just sholshing around and makes you throw up. You have to have a "throw up" bucket by the bed. Mine will peak after about 72 hours but it may be as long as a week to 10 days before I'm really back to normal equilibrium.
You have my empathy and I wish you good luck.
rddlioni'm 48 and having a lot of ringing in my ears at first it started with the right ear, then went to the other ear now it's hurting in both ears and still having the ringing and when i told my doctor about it he really didn't say that much all he said was wash it out with warm water then it will be much better BUT IT DIDN'T WORK so what's wrong with my ears
I have had ongoing inner ear fluid for the last twenty years. My experience has included five sets of tubes. They would work and when they fall out, the fluid would build up again and my problems would resume.
Recently I changed my diet to consist of mostly fruit (oranges). To my amazement, the fluid has seemed to subside. There is still a little tingling in there, but it has virtually fixed itself and I am speechless.
I am a thirty-seven year old male who has suffered from countless inner ear infections over the last twenty years. This isn't normal for an adult!!! Very frustrating!!
I am guessing I simply wasn't getting enough fruit in my diet. I am hooked on it now. I hope this helps anyone with similiar symptoms.
Thanks.
my 5 month old daughter had gotten her 1st ear infection when she was 4 months old and since then she is on her 5th ear infection and all but 1 of them the ear drums were perferated. we dont prop her bottle up while it is in her mouth and there is no smoking around her either so we have no idea what is causing them. i was wondering if there is anyother way to prevent ear infections from happening then tubes in the eats
I'm 48 yrs. old and never had problems with my ears until recently. Now they are plugged on and off and I am dizzy and sometimes the room starts spinning, even if I'm just rolling over in bed.
I went to a physician's asst. first who said there was fluid in my inner ear and just take my Allegra D's.
Still had the problem so I went to my ENT who I've seen in the past for allergies. He said there was no infection or fluid. It was allergies, take my Allegra D's twice a day. Still not helping. Tried Musenex as well. Seems to be getting worse.
Any suggestions??
Don't always assume the swimmers ear is a bacterial infection. Last summer after swimming in a lake I thought I had swimmers ear. First ENT I went to diagnosed it as a bacterial infection and put me on oral antibiotics and drops. Seven days later it was not any better, no change at all. Went to a new ENT who immediately said it was a fungus and not bacteria, said the antibiotics were a waste and will not help at all. He said ears are the perfect place for fungal infections, warm, dark and moist. He cleaned out my ear and used anti-fungal drops. Within 10 minutes the hearing was restored and feeling of pressure was gone.
Using over-the-counter swimmers ear drops helps keep the ear dry (isopropyl alcohol), plus an occasional mix of white vinegar and water (vinegar prevents fungus) also works.
Be sure your ENT is considering more than just a bacterial infection!
Hi..
I am a 25 year old female with no kids. Over the weekend my right ear stated to hurt. The following morning me left ear was also hurting. I went to the doctor and she said that my ears were red inside and that I had an infection. She quicly prescribed me Amoxcisillin and some ear drops. It has been 2 days since my office visit and I continue to be in pain - Now it has expanded into my left side of my face. I can hardly open my mouth or chew on food. It this pain does not go away, I will be making another trip to the doctor.
Hi Dr Moser,
I am 21 years old and for the past few years have become increasingly susceptible to ear infections upon getting a cold.
As a preventative, I take decongestant tablets like Sudafed as soon as I get a cold. Unfortunately, this is proving less and less effective - I am now 2 days into a cold and my ear passages are very swollen (I can feel these passages through my face next to my earlobes). This is after having taken double the recommended amount of Sudafed.
Is there any way I can prevent ear infections more effectively and safely please? I am worried about the damage this pills will do to my health.
Please reply to j.lewis08@hotmail.co.uk - I would greatly appreciate it!
I have been suffering for about two weeks now with what started to be just a sore throat. Now I am also having ear aches and migranes. What could this be?
Hi Dr. Moser:
I am a hearing aid wearer.
Recently, I have had a prolonged sinus/chest cold that has lasted about three weeks.
On 10/01, I went to my doctor and was given Z-Pack. On 10/02, I noticed a reduction in my hearing coupled with a muffled/distorted sound.
I looked on line and noticed one of the side effects of Z-Pack (azithromycin) is ringing and hearing loss.
I have had my aids looked at and they are functioning fine, so the problem lies in my ears. My hearing specialist DID notice and inflammation in my right ear, however, and suggested I see my doctor, which I am doing tomorrow.
My question is this:
Could the Z-Pack have affected me this way? And if so, how long will these side effects last?
I completed the Z-Pack dose yesterday (10/05).
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Regards,
Armen Z.
I had a virus or cold infection in jan.2008. I had alot of nasal cogestion and mucus buidup and nose blokage along with my right ear feeling blocked. I was out of town staying with my son and his family. After four weeks everything cleared up except my clogged ear. The ringing in my ear became unbearable. Since i was 500 miles from my home i went to a local hospital in the area. After a lenghly wait i finally saw a doctor and she looked in my ear and gave me 30 500mg.Amoxicillan antibiotics. My sinuses felt good but the antibiotics had no affect on my blocked and ringing ear.It's now been 9 months and both ears are affected. I have been doing sinus rinces for the last 5 months. I went to an ENT in May and at that time i thought my ear was blocked from excess wax. He looked in both ears and stated their is no wax at all. He was a disappointment to say the least. About two months ago the left ear started closing. It was not completely blocked however as my sinuses got worse the left ear did as well. I thought if i improved my overall health the ear it would help the ears. I joined a gym and went on a raw foods health diet. In 7 weeks i lost 28 lbs and my ear problem never improved. Right now i have an acute sinitus problem which is driving me crazy. My ears have made me a little anti social since the echo when i speak makes it difficult to socialize. What shoud i try next.?
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